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Comments
Chris M
As for the interior, I concur as well, and honestly like the E39 design better. The new A8 and E-class both are good examples of classy design incorporating a multi-function nav screen. The 7-series iDrive screen "pod"--centered and far away--feels cold and lacks harmony.
Thanks!
introduce valvetronic technology from the 4.4L
V8. That coupled with a 6 speed automatic and people
should be seeing 30+ mpg on the highway.
It doesn't seem valvetronic will make it in the
'04 MY. Maybe BMW will introduce it on the 3.0L
and 2.5L when the 3 series gets redone. By then
they should introduce direct gas injection from the
6.0L too. More power, better gas mileage, and
lower emissions. Can't argue with that.
2001 Prelude Type SH, 2022 Highlander XLE AWD, 2022 Wrangler Sahara 4Xe, 2023 Toyota Tacoma SR 4WD
I recently came across a guy who wanted to sell me his 2001 M5 for $30k. The bluebook value is close to 60k. I asked him why the price was so low, and he said that he needed the money bad. Im thinkin that htere's something wrong with the car, but he said there was nothing wrong. Any input? This car is very tempting.
You should also check to see if the owner made any modifications. Don't want to void warranty or harm the car.
What is the mileage?
U.S. in October 2003.
U.S. in October 2003.
Further, E39 production ends in June, and to replace the tooling at the Dingolfing factory in a month, I am not so sure.
The dash and armrest are leather only in the M5.
{The only one I'm not certain about is the door inserts, but I'm fairly confident of that.}
You're right that signing over the title may result in getting hit with sales tax again. The solution we have arrived at is to have the certificate of origin and the subsequent title in BOTH our names. My bank said this was fine as long as my father signs a form stating he understands the car will have a lein on it when I take out the loan.
I guess aluminum is aluminum.
Could air pressure cause this? I keep mine at 36F/44R
Thanks,
Mike
Regards....JL
F:33 and R: 41. I carry F:33,R: 36
since it is either one person or 2 max
95% of the time.
Yes, I have hit many potholes this winter. If I tried to avoid someone that I wanted to, I would have been in an accident! It is like an obstacle course in NJ. The whole tri-state is the same IMO.
I do remember one particular pothole that made me cringe that probably did the trick on my right side front and rear rims.
The dealer has seen a ton of bent rims this winter. It thought the one advantage of Non-SP over SP would be ability to withstand these impacts better because of the higher profile tires.
Yes, better than suspension.
Tire Pressure:
I kept high because I thought I would get better feel for the road (read on this board) since I have regular suspension.
Does BMW recommend: 33/41 or 29/33 (both responses above)and should it be less if there is only one passenger?
Thanks
I have not seen the car personally yet, but I've seen pictures posted on the net. I'm confused that it has SP, but the seats do not look like the seats that are available in the 330i SP--no thigh support! According to BMW, there are 4 different seat configurations available: (1)10-way power driver's seat with power headrest (2) 12-way power sport seats with adjustable thigh support (3) 14-way power front seats (4) 16-way Comfort Seats.
I don't think I've never seen a 5 series with "adjustable thigh support." Also, how do I physicall tell whether the car has the standard 10 speaker audio system, or the premium 12 speaker w/DSP system? Do the head units look different? Where can I find all the speakers?
Also, how can tell if the car has xenon lights if see it in the daytime. Do the standard and xenon lights look different under the hood?
BTW...what the heck is "shadowline trim?"
I know I've got lots of questions, but hopefully someone can answer them!
If I am not mistaken, there was a "Sport/Premium Package" available for the 530i in 2001 (for at least part of the model year), and that package did NOT have the sport seats, which were an extra charge option.
I have a 2002 530i 5-Speed, PP, SP, Xenon and Premium Audio, and the seats do in fact have an adjustable thigh support.
Regarding the Xenon headlights, I have noticed that on both of my BMWs that have had them (former 1999 328i and current 530i), when the lights are turned on, they briefly (as in like a quarter of a second) flash REAL bright, and then settle down to their normal intensity, regular Halogen lights turn on directly to their normal intensity.
Regarding the Premium Audio, I am not sure about this one, however, I think that the top right button next to the display will say "Audio" if the car does not have DSP, and it will say "Audio DSP" if it does have it. A further test would be to turn the ignition on (DSP is not changeable when you turn the audio system on with the ignition off) and press the DSP button. When activated, you should see "CONCERT JAZZCLUB CHURCH MEMORY1 2 Off" across the bottom display if in fact that car has DSP.
I hope this helps.
Best Regards,
Shipo
However, had the price been something like $45-50k, that's a "buyer beware" sign. I looked at a 2000 Jaguar XKR convertible that was priced $15k+ below wholesale. The seller looked professional, lived in a nice neighborhood in a $2+/- million house and indicated he was selling since he was going to be returning to Europe and his company told him to liquidate it (business car) quickly. Something smelled funny. A couple of weeks later my wife went by the house and saw an IRS padlock on the driveway gate.
Any car being sold for more than 5-10% under dealer wholesale warrants very careful due diligence. More often than not, it's been in a wreck, been stolen (or has clouded title), or the seller isn't heading to Europe, but rather to jail.
29F/33R - Max four (4) passengers
33F/41R - Max five (5) passengers + luggage
The 540i has different pressures for different tire sizes and transmissions.
Hope this helps...JL
Well, just a few more days........
1. In '01, the SP (or Sport/Premium) did not include the adjustable thigh support, which became standard with the Sport in '02. It was certainly a nice addition, having driven an '02, but not something I miss terribly.
2. Shadowline trim: Black, rather than chrome around the windows.
3. Xenons: Shouldn't this be obvious? Yes--there is a fluctuation in intensity after they're turned on. Also, the light is very white (in contrast to the yellow of the halo or fog lights). If you don't notice an obvious difference, they probably aren't Xenons.
4. DSP: I think Shipo is right--there should be a DSP button near the head unit. If not, you have the standard 10-speaker audio. Ask to see the manual (there's a separate one for the audio system) and you'll see pictures of the standard and upgraded audio system.
FYI, I paid just under $36K for the same car, SP/PP/Xenons in showroom condition, 13K miles, CPO warranty included, around 2 months ago.
Hope this helps.
The back end looks a bit Altima/Maxima'ish in the pictures.
I'll wait and drive one since I can't get an E39 right now anyway. It'll be a few months, and by that time, it will either be the E60 or Z4.
-Paul
2001 - maybe a 2002
530
PP, SP, Xenon, CWP
Less than 20K miles and CPO
36K and I'll buy it! 02 will cost 40K
BTW - not to cause a ruckus here, but I did drive a 2002 and a 2003 Lincoln LS the other day on test drives. Drove them both very hard and thorough - and they were both great cars, especially the 03 with the Sport Package. Would I rather have a BMW - yes!!!
Some might laugh at that last comment, but last year when I was considering whether to extend the lease on my perfectly good 1999 328i with only 40K miles on it, or get a new E39, I got the E39. Why? So that I wouldn't be forced to consider the E60, which based upon the (then) available spy photos, I found totally revolting. Here we are a year later, and the "Official" pictures of the car are out, and its lines have indeed been softened, however, no matter how much "Kabuki" makeup they put on Mr. Bangle's design, it is still rather disjointed and homely in my book. Am I glad that I have the E39? Oh Yeah!
Best Regards,
Shipo
I didn't need a car until late 03 but when I saw pics of the E60... I had to get my E39 sooner than expected. Its a shame it sat inside my garage during most of the snowstorm since my purchase in Jan.
During my search, I has specific taste... which the car must be 530/540 silver exterior, 60/40, SP & Xenon which was impossible to find. Then I settle for an added PP & CWP. One thing I can tell you about the 5+ dealers in the NY area is that the inventory is quite lean, (awaiting for the E60?) so I doubt there is much discounting. Each dealer had about 2-4 models on the lot. There may be some wiggle room for the few 45K-60K+ cars sitting on the lot. You mind as well get a car you really like b/c the 200 dollars extra discount to take the one on the lot was not convincing for me.
I really love the styling & shape of the E39. I found out I have two other friends who bought one with the same reasoning I had. So I bet there is a small bump in people getting on the last call for the E39. It did initially bothered me bit that I was getting a little older technology wise and may drop more in value in the near term future. Funny thing is that all 4 of my cars were in it last yr production and have been flawless! Generally last yr production cars will give long term owners the most bang for the buck in terms of quality. I also kept in mind that the E60 will take a few years to work out the Gremlins in the car. Bottom line is that I was going to buy a car that I enjoyed for the long term.
Best Regards,
Shipo
When we test drove the w210 (last gen E class) and the 530, separated by a week, my wife had the same reaction. Both times I parked the cars in our garage and had her come down to see them. With the E, she said, "nice" and drove it, and said, "nice". With the 530, "this is it!" were her first words even before she sat down in the car. Guess what's sitting in our garage.
technology from the 4.4L V-8 didn't get on the
2.5L and 3.0L for the '04 series. That
would have added about 10% more HP not sure if
torque is increased also plus better fuel
economy. Maybe they are waiting for the E90
for the '05/'06 MY. Would be nice if they
introduced the direct fuel injection technology
from the 6.0L V-12 at the same time. I would
figure that coupled with valvetronic would yield
about a 260HP 3.0L and 210HP 2.5L.